MS modifies XP - Vista files

[Humpty]

Don't know what to make of this?

Microsoft Corp. has started updating files on computers running Windows XP and Vista, even when users have explicitly disabled the operating systems' automatic update feature, researchers said today.

 

Scott Dunn, an editor at the "Windows Secrets" newsletter, said that nine files in XP and Vista -- but not the same files in each operating system -- have been changed by Windows Update, the Microsoft update mechanism, without displaying the usual notification or permission dialog box. The files, said Dunn, are related to the XP and Vista versions of Windows Update (WU) itself.

 

"We started hearing from readers that Windows was modifying files in the middle of the night, even when Windows Update was turned off," Dunn said today. Some machines' event logs pinpointed Aug. 24 as the date when the invisible updates began, but on one of Dunn's personal machines, the log showed the changes taking place this week.

Article

[Tunerz]

I don't like "dirty M$" messin' up my privacy and the OS.

Anyone had this thing happened or is happening to their OS?

[Andavari]

"If" Microsoft did this, those XP files that article talks about are dated on my system

Monday, July 30, 2007 between 7:18 PM to 7:19 PM.

 

7:19 PM is a time I never update anything on my system.

[Tom AZ]

"If" Microsoft did this, those XP files that article talks about are dated on my system

Monday, July 30, 2007 between 7:18 PM to 7:19 PM.

 

7:19 PM is a time I never update anything on my system.

Exactly where is this file located in XP?

[rridgely]

Which files are updated depends on the OS you are running. The updated files on Vista are:

 

* wuapi.dll

* wuapp.exe

* wuauclt.exe

* wuaueng.dll

* wucltux.dll

* wudriver.dll

* wups.dll

* wups2.dll

* wuwebv.dll

 

And on XP SP2:

 

* cdm.dll

* wuapi.dll

* wuauclt.exe

* wuaucpl.cpl

* wuaueng.dll

* wucltui.dll

* wups.dll

* wups2.dll

* wuweb.dll

 

http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=779

 

MS is pushing it a little too far in my opinion. I dont like the idea of them secretly altering files on my computer.

Will have to keep a look out for other stories like this.

[Andavari]

Exactly where is this file located in XP?

I'll grab what rridgely already posted and input the path.

WinXP SP2:
c:\windows\system32\cdm.dll
c:\windows\system32\wuapi.dll
c:\windows\system32\wuauclt.exe
c:\windows\system32\wuaucpl.cpl
c:\windows\system32\wuaueng.dll
c:\windows\system32\wucltui.dll
c:\windows\system32\wups.dll
c:\windows\system32\wups2.dll
c:\windows\system32\wuweb.dll

[Madmartigan]

"If" Microsoft did this, those XP files that article talks about are dated on my system

Monday, July 30, 2007 between 7:18 PM to 7:19 PM.

 

7:19 PM is a time I never update anything on my system.

 

 

 

Exactly the same date and time for me. Microsoft is doing a Hell of a job promoting Linux!

[hazelnut]

Same here

[Sockdown]

Ummmmm August 24, 2007

"Windows Update software" for me

[Caldor]

Doesnt bother me. Most people run WU in auto mode so its necessary.

 

And in fact if you disable WU it doesnt automatically download the updates to the service. MS clarified that issue which seems to be yet another attempt at creating a panic and spreading FUD. Bink nu have the MS response on their website.

[Andavari]

Doesnt bother me.

Those were also my thoughts initially and they still are.

 

Although I do wish Microsoft would have did something to decrease the resource usage of Automatic Updates because it makes my computer slow during the first two or so minutes immediately after Windows loads.